In 1989, Locane made her big screen debut in the independent teen drama film Lost Angels starring opposite Adam Horowitz. The following year, Locane had a lead role opposite Johnny Depp as Allison Vernon-Williams in John Waters' romantic comedy film Cry-Baby.[2][3] The film did not achieve high audience numbers in its initial release, but has subsequently become a cult classic. She also twice played the girlfriend of Brendan Fraser, in the films School Ties (1992) and Airheads (1994).

In 2006, Locane became engaged to firefighter Mark Bovenizer and subsequently retired from acting in films. She acted occasionally in local community theater near their Hopewell, New Jersey, home and appeared in two eight-minute shorts released in 2009.[6] While engaged to be married, the couple had a daughter, born in 2007.[7] Locane and Bovenizer married before they had their second child, another daughter, in 2009.[8]

On June 27, 2010, Locane-Bovenizer was involved in a fatal motor vehicle collision in Montgomery, New Jersey.[9][10] Locane was driving 53 miles per hour (85 km/h) in a 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) zone and rapidly closed on the car driven by Fred Seeman, which was traveling at 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h) as it made a left hand turn in front of her to enter his driveway. The crash killed Seeman's wife, 60-year-old Helene Seeman.[citation needed]

Following the crash, testing revealed Locane's blood alcohol level was three times the limit for legal impairment.[11] In December 2010, Locane was indicted for aggravated manslaughter and assault by automobile.[6] On November 27, 2012, a Somerset County jury convicted Locane of vehicular homicide and assault by auto.[11] On February 14, 2013, she was sentenced to three years in prison for the crime, with Montgomery Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed imposing less than the minimum five-year sentence due to mitigating factors that included consideration of her children's welfare.[12][13][14] Locane served her sentence at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women and was released on parole on June 12, 2015.[15] Late in 2015 following Locane's release from prison, her husband filed for divorce and for custody of their two daughters.[16]

On July 22, 2016, a New Jersey appeals court ruled that the three-year sentencing would be re-reviewed due to what the court felt was an inadequate explanation by Reed for leniency.[17] Upon review, Reed stated in September 2016 that he had erred in his decision and that she should serve an additional six months.[14] On January 13, 2017, however, Reed ruled Locane would not have to go back to prison, saying her conduct since her release indicated she was not a threat to society.[18] Speaking later about the crash and victims, Locane said the memory of Helen Seeman will "be forever in her thoughts."[19] In February 2019, Locane was re-sentenced to five years behind bars but remains free on bail pending an appeal.[20]